Blab Music
Kendrick Lamar Debuts New Track "How To Pray" on Donald Glovers GILGA Radio
On a breezy July 20, the airwaves of GILGA Radio crackled with a collaboration that sent ripples through the hip‑hop community. Donald Glover’s direct‑to‑fan streaming platform, launched in 2023, became the stage for Kendrick Lamar and producer DJ Dahi—real name Dacoury Dahi Natche—to unveil a new track featuring R&B vocalist Amber Mark. The three‑part partnership, titled “How To Pray,” marked the song’s first public preview and set the tone for a summer of surprise releases.
“How To Pray” blends Lamar’s introspective lyricism with Dahi’s polished, layered production, while Amber Mark’s soaring vocal lines add depth. The track, slated to appear on Dahi’s debut studio album Black Boy (Alternative), promises a sonic convergence of hip‑hop and R&B that echoes the creative chemistry cultivated between the two collaborators over the past decade. Fans were treated to a brief snippet during the July 20 broadcast, hinting at the full song’s emotional resonance.
GILGA Radio, a niche streaming hub curated by Glover—who also performs as Childish Gambino—has become a launchpad for surprise premieres, fan takeovers, and exclusive releases from Gambino’s own catalog. By debuting “How To Pray” on a platform that already hosts a dedicated listener base, Glover and Dahi leveraged a channel where audiences overlap with Lamar’s demographic, ensuring immediate engagement from a highly targeted fan community. The platform’s direct‑to‑fan model allows artists to test new material in real time, a strategy that has proven effective for both Glover and collaborators.
DJ Dahi’s partnership with Lamar stretches back to the early 2010s, beginning with the production of “Money Trees” on good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) and continuing through DAMN. (2017) and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022). Their latest effort keeps that creative dialogue alive, with Lamar’s verses reflecting his signature introspective cadence against Dahi’s layered beats. This rapport has consistently produced chart‑relevant and critically acclaimed work.
“How To Pray” arrives as Lamar’s second feature in 2026, following his appearance on Baby Keem’s single “Good Flirts” from the Casino album, which also showcases Momo Boyd of Infinity Song. The proximity of these releases points to a strategy aimed at sustaining Lamar’s visibility amid a streaming‑centric marketplace. By spacing high‑profile collaborations throughout the year, Lamar maintains a steady presence on playlists and algorithmic recommendations and industry buzz.
The track will be part of Dahi’s debut studio album Black Boy (Alternative), slated for release on August 28. The album gathers a roster of collaborators, including Vince Staples, Channel Tres, Moses Sumney, Fousheé, and Ravyn Lenae, alongside Lamar and Gambino. Distribution will be handled by ALTER Music, positioning the project for summer momentum. The diverse lineup signals Dahi’s commitment to assembling a sonic tapestry that spans multiple genres.
Earlier this month, Dahi released the single “Running,” featuring Gambino, and in a statement reported by SPIN he framed the track as a homage to his heritage, declaring, “Black is beautiful. Bringing all I love into one space.” The release served as a prelude to the album announcement and highlighted Dahi’s aesthetic. The single’s lyrical focus on identity and community complements the thematic depth anticipated on Black Boy (Alternative) and authenticity.
From an industry perspective, the debut of “How To Pray” on GILGA Radio illustrates the broader trend of niche streaming platforms becoming targeted release venues. By premiering the song on a channel already populated by Gambino’s fan base—a demographic that overlaps significantly with Lamar’s—Glover and Dahi tap an engaged listener community. The strategy positions the track for immediate traction on playlists and algorithmic discovery, a factor for maximizing streaming exposure in 2026’s competitive landscape.
In short, Kendrick Lamar’s collaboration with DJ Dahi and Amber Mark will arrive on August 28 as part of Black Boy (Alternative). The early preview on GILGA Radio and the assembly of collaborators suggest a coordinated effort to maximize streaming reach during the latter half of 2026. Once the album drops, fans can expect the full track to surface on major services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, where it will join playlists and algorithmic recommendations.
“How To Pray” blends Lamar’s introspective lyricism with Dahi’s polished, layered production, while Amber Mark’s soaring vocal lines add depth. The track, slated to appear on Dahi’s debut studio album Black Boy (Alternative), promises a sonic convergence of hip‑hop and R&B that echoes the creative chemistry cultivated between the two collaborators over the past decade. Fans were treated to a brief snippet during the July 20 broadcast, hinting at the full song’s emotional resonance.
GILGA Radio, a niche streaming hub curated by Glover—who also performs as Childish Gambino—has become a launchpad for surprise premieres, fan takeovers, and exclusive releases from Gambino’s own catalog. By debuting “How To Pray” on a platform that already hosts a dedicated listener base, Glover and Dahi leveraged a channel where audiences overlap with Lamar’s demographic, ensuring immediate engagement from a highly targeted fan community. The platform’s direct‑to‑fan model allows artists to test new material in real time, a strategy that has proven effective for both Glover and collaborators.
DJ Dahi’s partnership with Lamar stretches back to the early 2010s, beginning with the production of “Money Trees” on good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) and continuing through DAMN. (2017) and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022). Their latest effort keeps that creative dialogue alive, with Lamar’s verses reflecting his signature introspective cadence against Dahi’s layered beats. This rapport has consistently produced chart‑relevant and critically acclaimed work.
“How To Pray” arrives as Lamar’s second feature in 2026, following his appearance on Baby Keem’s single “Good Flirts” from the Casino album, which also showcases Momo Boyd of Infinity Song. The proximity of these releases points to a strategy aimed at sustaining Lamar’s visibility amid a streaming‑centric marketplace. By spacing high‑profile collaborations throughout the year, Lamar maintains a steady presence on playlists and algorithmic recommendations and industry buzz.
The track will be part of Dahi’s debut studio album Black Boy (Alternative), slated for release on August 28. The album gathers a roster of collaborators, including Vince Staples, Channel Tres, Moses Sumney, Fousheé, and Ravyn Lenae, alongside Lamar and Gambino. Distribution will be handled by ALTER Music, positioning the project for summer momentum. The diverse lineup signals Dahi’s commitment to assembling a sonic tapestry that spans multiple genres.
Earlier this month, Dahi released the single “Running,” featuring Gambino, and in a statement reported by SPIN he framed the track as a homage to his heritage, declaring, “Black is beautiful. Bringing all I love into one space.” The release served as a prelude to the album announcement and highlighted Dahi’s aesthetic. The single’s lyrical focus on identity and community complements the thematic depth anticipated on Black Boy (Alternative) and authenticity.
From an industry perspective, the debut of “How To Pray” on GILGA Radio illustrates the broader trend of niche streaming platforms becoming targeted release venues. By premiering the song on a channel already populated by Gambino’s fan base—a demographic that overlaps significantly with Lamar’s—Glover and Dahi tap an engaged listener community. The strategy positions the track for immediate traction on playlists and algorithmic discovery, a factor for maximizing streaming exposure in 2026’s competitive landscape.
In short, Kendrick Lamar’s collaboration with DJ Dahi and Amber Mark will arrive on August 28 as part of Black Boy (Alternative). The early preview on GILGA Radio and the assembly of collaborators suggest a coordinated effort to maximize streaming reach during the latter half of 2026. Once the album drops, fans can expect the full track to surface on major services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, where it will join playlists and algorithmic recommendations.
